Wicked (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025) have dazzled viewers not only with their music and whimsical tale but also with the intriguing relationship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande). They have everything that makes for a dramatic yet affectionate relationship, capturing fans’ hearts. Starting as rivals but slowly becoming friends, there’s a frenemy vibe to their relationship, as well as the humor that arises from their clashing, opposing personalities.
If you can’t get enough of Glinda and Elphaba’s relationship, you can use our guide to find out how to watch the best movies with similar relationships on platforms like Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, and more.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Thelma & Louise is a buddy black comedy centered on Thelma Dickison (Geena Davis) and Louise Sawyer (Susan Sarandon), two lifelong best friends whose road trip together turns into an unexpected crime spree. The pair parallels Glinda and Elphaba through their opposing personalities. Thelma is a timid, shy housewife, while Louise is a tough and cynical woman. Yet, throughout the movie, they realize their personalities are just what the other needs to thrive.
Thelma & Louise is much darker than the Wicked movies and far less fantastical. However, it tackles similar themes of feminism, liberation, and independence. Both films are really about women gaining the power to lead the lives they choose. Thelma & Louise has a strong central relationship and is an excellent, comedic, feminist spin on the road-trip genre.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Jennifer’s Body follows Anita “Needy” Lesnicki (Amanda Seyfried), a teenage girl, who grows concerned over her best friend Jennifer’s (Megan Fox) increasingly demonic behavior. In some ways, Jennifer and Needy remind me of Elphaba and Glinda, especially since the latter have elements of toxicity in their relationship just like the former do. Jennifer isn’t always kind to Needy, but she almost seems to harbor romantic feelings for her under the surface, which is reminiscent of Glinda and Elphaba’s initial shaky relationship.
Jennifer’s Body is excellent for fans of Wicked searching for female friendship and female-centered stories, but encased in horror. It’s more campy than scary, and offers a satirical take on gender roles in horror, evoking some feminist vibes. If you enjoy feminine horror movies like Ginger Snaps (2001) and Suspiria (1977), you’ll be especially intrigued by Jennifer’s Body.
Black Swan (2010)
Black Swan tells the story of Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a professional ballerina whose intense rivalry with fellow ballerina Lily (Mila Kunis) causes her to unravel as she grows increasingly attracted to Lily. Nina and Lily’s similarities to Glinda and Elphaba are hard to ignore. In both relationships, a perfectionist is contrasted with the more uninhibited half of the pair, who begin as rivals but are undeniably drawn to one another.
Black Swan is a far darker and more complex story than Wicked. It explores the dark side of the dance profession and the crushing pressure ballerinas face. Through its mind-bending psychological premise, it also touches a bit on repressed sexuality and sexual awakening. Black Swan’s dark psychological premise and themes of sexual awakening are highly reminiscent of Raw (2016) and Swallow (2020).
Frozen (2013)
Frozen centers on Anna (Kristen Bell), who sets out to save her kingdom from eternal winter after her sister, Elsa (Idina Menzel), accidentally casts a spell on it before fleeing. In the film, Elsa and Anna share a relationship reminiscent of Elphaba and Glinda, bonding despite their opposing personalities. Frozen also offers a story, rather than just a relationship, similar to Wicked and Wicked: For Good.
Frozen offers a whimsical, fantastical tale about two orphaned royal sisters, one of whom has powerful ice-manipulation abilities. Like Wicked, the story is complex enough to intrigue adults as the sisters grapple with acceptance, sisterhood, romance, and grief, yet light enough for children through its catchy songs and comedy. If you enjoy Disney or Pixar movies that offer a bit more maturity, like Up (2009) and Encanto (2021), Frozen is a must-see.
A Simple Favor (2018)
A Simple Favor follows Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick), a mommy vlogger, who slowly gets pulled into her wealthy, popular friend Emily’s (Blake Lively) web of mysteries. I see Stephanie and Emily’s relationship as strongly paralleling that of Elphaba and Glinda, though it’s a bit more complex. The pair share an emotional bond but also get caught in a game of cat-and-mouse, which resembles the way Glinda pursues Elphaba in Wicked: For Good.
A Simple Favor offers a few more twists and turns than the Wicked movies. The psychological crime thriller constantly keeps you on your toes and pulls off a few shocking surprises. It also offers a nice dose of dark humor and absurdity through a feminist lens, reminiscent of Thelma & Louise and Jennifer’s Body, but with an additional noir bent.
Luca (2021)
Luca centers on Luca Paguro (Jacob Tremblay) and Alberto Scorfano (Jack Dylan Grazer), young sea monsters and best friends who venture on land but struggle to conceal their identities and find acceptance. Luca and Alberto share an intense emotional bond akin to that of Glinda and Elphaba. Unlike Glinda and Elphaba, the pair were best friends since childhood and never quite rivals. Still, I see similarities to Glinda and Elphaba in the innocence and intensity of the friendship.
Like Frozen, Luca also parallels the whimsical, lighthearted nature of the Wicked movies. All three movies follow lead characters who possess unique abilities or appearances but find supporters and friends who accept them as they are. Luca, though, offers a more straightforward plot about two boys’ adventures, adding another layer of childhood innocence that’s certain to appeal to children. Fans of Elio (2025) and The Good Dinosaur (2015) will especially enjoy Luca’s adventurous premise.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
The Banshees of Inisherin tells the story of Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who become entangled in an increasingly vicious feud after Colm abruptly tries to end their friendship. Pádraic and Colm strongly resemble Glinda and Elphaba: Pádraic and Glinda share the same naïvety, while Colm and Elphaba are more intellectual and brooding. Even though each pair does cruel things to one another, they never wholly stop caring for each other, despite how much they may try.
The Banshees of Inisherin is quite a unique film. It’s almost one of those feel-bad movies, as you watch the senseless deterioration of a friendship. However, the touches of dark comedy and absurdity, along with the deep dive into human loneliness, keep it intriguing. If you enjoy movies and shows that aren’t afraid to get dark in their exploration of feuds, such as Bring Them Down (2025) and Beef (2023), you’ll love The Banshees of Inisherin.
The School for Good and Evil (2022)
The School for Good and Evil follows two girls, Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso) and Agatha (Sofia Wylie), whose friendship is tested when they are admitted to rival schools, the School for Good and the School for Evil. Sophie and Agatha are the perfect Glinda and Elphaba-esque pair. Sophie dreams of being a princess and finding true love’s kiss, while the townspeople have dubbed Agatha a “witch.” While their school and society try to set them against each other, their friendship remains strong.
The School for Good and Evil also parallels Wicked in its exploration of good and evil. The schools try to put Sophie and Agatha into a “good” or “evil” category, but the girls recognize that labels are rarely that simple, just as there’s so much more to Elphaba’s story than being “wicked.” The School for Good and Evil is excellent if you’re looking for the themes of Wicked, but in a less complex story, easier for children to digest.
His Three Daughters (2023)
His Three Daughters centers on three estranged adult sisters who must come together as their father, Vincent (Jay O. Sanders), reaches the end of his cancer battle. It’s an excellent pick for viewers looking for themes of sisterhood and connection, but through a much more emotional story. In the film, the way Vincent’s biological daughters treat his stepdaughter, Rachel (Natasha Lyonne), as an outsider is also reminiscent of Elphaba’s treatment in Wicked. The ultimate bond between the three sisters, though, reminds me of the complex connection between Elphaba, Glinda, and Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marrisa Bode).
His Three Daughters is also a very grounded movie, radiating with a simplistic beauty. The story is straightforward but often searing, and will hit close to home for those who have experienced complicated family dynamics and grief. Fans of hauntingly beautiful movies like Nomadland (2020) and Fremont (2023) will enjoy His Three Daughters.
Nyad (2023)
Nyad tells the story of Diana Nyad (Annette Bening), who attempts to complete the feat she failed 30 years earlier: swimming nonstop from Cuba to Florida. To accomplish this, she employs the help of her best friend and former lover, Bonnie Stoll (Jodie Foster). Although the two are opposites, with Diana’s impulsivity and ambitions, and Bonnie’s down-to-earth, more realistic nature, they share an unbreakable bond. The pair help each other accomplish their dreams, much as Glinda and Elphaba could only achieve theirs together.
While friendship is a strong element in Nyad, it’s also an excellent story for those seeking inspiration. It goes a little deeper than a typical feel-good sports biopic, delving into Nyad’s past trauma and the many failures she experienced. Her determination and work ethic in the face of many obstacles, alongside Bonnie’s endless support, is awe-inspiring. It’s a must-see if you loved Young Woman and the Sea (2024).
